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In this episode we talk with Dr. Cody J. Sanders about LGBTQIA inclusion and the gifts our LGBTQ+ siblings bring to our congregation. Dr. Sanders is the pastor to Old Cambridge Baptist Church in Cambridge, Mass and an American Baptist chaplain to Harvard University. He has written extensively about Christianity and the LGBTQ+ community and helps us consider how we can be a more compassionately curious congregation that creates space for all God’s people.

In this episode we talk with Dr. Myles Werntz about immigration in the United States. Dr. Wertnz is the Director of Baptist Studies and Associate Professor of Theology at Abilene Christian University. He helps us understand the migrant nature of our own faith and unpacks the history of immingration and its current political and social context.

In this episode we talk with Amanda Tyler, the Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee about Christian Nationalism. We take a look at the various forms of Christian Nationalism and the threat it poses to religious liberty and even democracy itself. We hope you’ll listen and consider signing the Christians Against Christian Nationalism Statement.

In this episode, we talk with Rabbi Eugene Levy about the Jewish American Experience. Rabbi Levy shares with us thoughts on Judaism in today’s culture. He shares what he wants others to understand about the Jewish faith and how that faith has shaped his perspective. We hope this episode creates a greater appreciation for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

In this episode, dropped on May the 4th, we discuss Star Wars and the ways it does and doesn’t relate to our faith. We have a special guest panel for this conversation… Star Wars experts from the youth group. You will learn a lot, be blown away by their deep thoughts, and laugh a little too. May the force be with you!

In this episode we talk with Ragan Sutterfield, an associate rector at Christ Church in Little Rock. We discuss our place in creation, reorienting ourselves as part of creation; not proprietors over but priests within. As Earth Day approaches, we hope this episode will lead you to think deeply about your role within God’s good world.

In this episode, Pastor Preston Clegg reflects on the last week of Jesus’ life. You can journey through the week by listening to each segment daily or by listening to it in its entirety. We hope this episode helps you to engage in this week in a meaningful way.

In this episode we talk with Brian Kaylor, President and Editor in Chief of Word and Way, and Mitch Randall, Chief Executive Officer of Good Faith Media. Good Faith Media and Word and Way are faith-based news outlets with a variety of print and audio platforms. Mitch and Brian share how to discern credible news from their unique perspectives as senior editors. We hope this episode will help on your journey toward truth.

In this episode, best-selling author, Robert P. Jones, discusses the Church’s role in perpetuating white supremacy and the Church’s responsibility in ending it. He challenges us all to join in the work of anti-racism in our communities, churches, and individual lives.

In this episode we talk with Arkansas Senator Joyce Elliott and Pulaski County Circuit and County Clerk, Terry Hollingsworth about voting rights in our country and state. We discuss the history of the right to vote, election integrity, and voting accessibility. We hope this is an informative podcast that inspires you to advocate for election justice.

In this episode, Associate Pastor of Worship Arts, Suzanne Cain, provides a space for grounding and meditation. We take a break from our usual format to care for our souls in the midst of busy world. We hope this provides the rest and restoration you need.

In this episode we talk with three former interns about their experiences at Second Baptist. We are excited to welcome back Chris Redmond who served as both a Student intern and Pastoral intern in 2013 & 2014, Michael Huerter who served as a Pastoral Intern in 2019, and Jillian Mitchell who served as a Pastoral intern in 2020. During this National Mentoring Month, we pause to give thanks for the opportunity to mentor and be mentored and to dream about what this might look like in the future.

In this episode the pastoral staff at Second Baptist reflects on the challenges and joys of 2021 and looks forward to new possibilities in 2022. We hope you enjoy as you look back with us.

In this episode, Pastor, Preston Clegg, and Associate Pastor, Suzanne Cain, talk with Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell about her book The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found. Dr. Gorrell researches and teaches courses on joy, meaning-making, Christian education and formation, ministry in a new media landscape, and the interconnected nature of mental and spiritual health. She is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary and an ordained pastor in the Mennonite Church USA with fourteen years of ministry experience.

In this episode we talk with Dr. Hulitt Gloer, Scholar Emeritus and former Interim Pastor at Second Baptist and former Professor of Preaching and Christian Scriptures at Truett Theological Seminary. Dr. Gloer discusses the theme of joy throughout the Gospel of Luke. He’ll help you find it in places you may not have noticed. So grab your Bible and prepare to find joy!

In this episode of Because it Is, Preston talks with Arkansas State Senator Clarke Tucker and State Representative Fredrick Love about the redistricting legislation being passed at both a state and federal level and its disparate racial impact. Senator Tucker is a practicing attorney specializing in litigation. He was elected this year to the state senate. Representative Love is the Director of Community Services for Pulaski County and is serving his sixth term as state representative. This is sure to be an informative and insightful listen!

In this episode Pastor Preston Clegg speaks with Jennifer Verkamp-Ruthven, Sophia Said, & Chris Ellis about the recent resettlement of Afghan refugees in Central Arkansas. They’ll be discussing hopes, challenges, and opportunities for these families and their sponsors. We hope this is an informative and inspirational episode.

In our last episode of Season 2, we talk with Joshua Ang Price, co-founder and first president of the Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus of Arkansas, about his experience as an Asian American in this state. He shares stories about growing up in Arkansas and gives listeners suggestions and resources for how to be an ally to the AAPI community.“I love Arkansas and I want to see everyone that lives in our beautiful state get along with each other and learn from each other. I think God put us all on this earth, and this is our great mystery--the great mystery of life. We are all puzzle pieces and I think it is going to take all of us coming together to solve that puzzle.” -Joshua Ang PriceSHOW NOTES:www.stopaapihate.org (a website for reporting AAPI hate crimes)www.ihollaback.org (bystander training resources)

In this episode we talk with Jeremy Everett, Founder and Executive Director of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, about the reality of hunger around the world and in our own communities. We discuss the causes of hunger and the aspects of our faith that compel us to address this problem. “We have decided that hunger and poverty are acceptable social conditions….We will always have hunger until we decide that everyone has a right to food. When we come to that conclusion, we’ll figure out the logistics.”

In this episode we talk with long-time preacher and professor of homiletics and 2BC Scholar Emeritus, Dr. Hulitt Gloer, about the preaching event. We ponder what good listening entails and what the listener can expect from a sermon. We consider the mystery of the sermon and how it has the power to shatter reality and invoke possibility. Join us as we are challenged to be active participants in the preaching event.“Preaching is trialogical, there are three entities involved in the preaching event. There is the preacher, the hearer and the Spirit. If the hearer is not participating, both God’s word and the preacher’s words fall on deaf ears. That triangle of preacher, hearer and God...that’s the preaching event.” -Dr. Hulitt Gloer